Library

Ammerdown’s library offers an extensive collection of spiritual writings, spanning a wide range of religions and authors. Also available are biographies, books on the local area, books of general interest, and recent copies of a selection of magazines.

Guests are welcome to use the library as a reading space or to borrow books to take back to their rooms.

The Centre also has a small collection of novels and light-reading books, games and jigsaws, for the entertainment of guests.

Chapel

Ammerdown's Chapel

Ammerdown’s beautiful Chapel is universally described by guests as ‘a very special place’. The old dark stone building, used by the Ammerdown Estate for storage over several generations, was converted in the early 1980s into a lovely airy and light space particularly conducive to prayer and meditation.

The Chapel is open from early morning to late at night, and all guests, irrespective of beliefs, are welcome to use it for their own devotions or simply for peace and quiet. The presence of the Blessed Sacrament on one side reminds visitors that the Centre is a Christian foundation, but the emphasis is on openness and acceptance.

The Ammerdown community gathers in the Chapel twice a day during the week, for morning and evening prayers. Guests are warmly invited to attend if they so wish.

Landscaped Gardens and Parkland

Ammerdown House, the Stately Home from which the Centre derives its name, dates back to 1789. It has beautiful landscaped gardens that were first designed by James Wyatt and later by famous landscape artist Edwin Lutyens.

By kind courtesy of the present owners, Ammerdown guests have free access to parts of the formal gardens as well as to the parkland and woods that make up the Ammerdown Estate. These provide a wonderful setting for walks or simply for a rest in the sun.